Is ra really an autoimmune disease?

Yes: Ra is an autoimmune disorder that is the result of genetic and enviromental factors which result in autoantibody production and a complex inflammatory response which results in joint inflammation and the secondary destructive changes. The immune response that occurs is quite complicated, well documented and not easily summarized.

Yes it is: It is a chronic disease where your immune system attacks normal, healthy tissues such as your joints. This caused joint destruction, which is the hallmark of rheumatoid arthritis.

RA : Ra is an autoimmune disease . It is a systemic autoimmune disease as it affects joints and other systems . The target cells are cells in synovium (lining of joints) , pleura (lining or covering of lungs , pericardium ( lining or covering of heart) and sclera of eyes . The antibodies are to igg fc ( rheumatoid factor) and to citrullinated peptides ( anti ccp ) . Both t and b cells are involved.